Today Robin and I got married. It started out the day before with my father and mother helping me move all of my belongings into Robin’s small, one bedroom apartment. At the end of a long and tiring day dad and I finished moving about 90% of my things; we headed to Cornerstone Baptist Church for the rehearsal dirty and tired. Robin and I rushed around the church getting things in place and taken care of. Everyone kept asking me if I was nervous but I wasn’t even at the rehearsal. Robin’s Maid of Honor was late, she got lost somewhere along Rt 222 and Stetson; mom drove out and found her as it can be confusing at night in Exeter. The rehearsal was fun, we were able to talk to everyone that was going to be assisting and performing in the wedding, which was nice because we got to know each other better.
After the rehearsal Robin, her parents and I drove to my apartment in an attempt to move the remaining 10% of my items. We coiled computer cables, network cables, broke down the kitchen table and gathered up other miscellaneous items and packed them all into two cars and one van; unfortunately we were only able to move 5%. We headed back to her apartment, we asked that her parents stay outside for 5 minutes as Robin and I exchanged our gifts to each other. I asked Robin to close her eyes as I guided her into her bedroom where my mother’s 30 year old red cedar chest sat with a Pooh & Piglet stuff animal; the cedar chest was something my father had made for my mother before they got married. I had sanded the polyurethane off which exposed the natural color and scent of the wood. Robin was surprised; she thought that it was a superb gift. Robin handed me a small dark box; I opened it carefully, I noticed a Swiss Cross on top and to my delight it was a beautiful two-tone Swiss Army watch – exactly what I wanted in style and design.
The Wedding Day
The next morning, the wedding day, I woke up early in my hotel room and asked mom if she could help in moving the remaining things from the apartment to Robin’s. Two and half hours later we had finished moving and cleaning everything and were off to Exeter.
As I walked into the Church I had the song, “White on White” by Danny Williams in my mind as we had just listened to it in the car. Nervousness crept into my mind but not a regretful feeling; I headed up to the sound room where Rita was waiting for me. I hooked Robin’s laptop into the sound and video system while walking Rita through the process of controlling the video cameras, Power Point slide shot, audio, etc as she offered to help since Bryon could not be there.
I was shocked at how much effort Robin and her mother had put into the reception decorations, it was as if walking into an artificial forest. The floor was scattered with tiny autumn leaves, the tables covered in reds, oranges, yellows and browns with favors surrounding a bottle of Welches Sparkling Juice. The Wedding Cake was beyond my expectations; we had asked that the cake be white with a waterfall, our two custom cookie cake toppers; what we received was much more than that. The frosting that depicted the water fall appeared as if it were wet, on the sides of the waterfall were a bed of falling autumn leaves, with bits of grass and sporadic pine trees.
My father, Robin’s father and I put on our Tuxedos in the Pastor’s office 20 minutes before the ceremony was set to start. As my father and I stood in the office waiting for our queue I started to get anxious about stepping out in front of the crowd, my legs and lower back started to ache from that thought and moving the previous day. Our queue was called, I followed Pastor Stan out the door with my father behind me as the Best Man, we stepped up onto the stage and watched the Maid of Honor, and the Ring bearer and Flower Girl walk down the aisle flawlessly. Then all of the sudden the piano sounded the bridal call and the Pastor called for all to stand; my eyes looked up to Robin, my bride, in excitement, all nervousness had vanished as we locked eyes. I could feel a big smile on my face as I walked down to take her from her father; when we were standing in front of each other I could feel my heart start to throb, the veins in my neck pulsating against my bow-tie and my brow begin to dampen- she looked so beautiful!
Stan spoke about Robin and I deciding to choose each other just as we decided to choose Christ at some point in our lives; he also worked in a Salvation message which was great. We recited our vows with only a few tears. Jack spoke to us and the Church indirectly about honoring and respecting each other and how a husband and wife should love and obey each other as Christ does for us.
At the end Robin and I lit our unity candles and kissed, we were finally married. What a feeling, to be joined together with someone you love so much and that loves you back. We walked briskly down the aisle to our photographer where we went outside to take photos of ourselves, wedding party, family, men, ladies and the children.
Forty-five minutes later we returned and were announced into the reception area where we were waited on and greeted by friends and family. The food was delicious, unfortunately we were so busy talking with people that we didn’t get to sample it all. Robin’s Bride’s Maid gave a speech as did my father which we toasted to.
Robin and I did not smoosh the cake; we were a little playful however.
I’d like to thank everyone involved in helping with our Wedding and for everyone attending and for the gifts; if any family or friends would like our Wedding DVD, please contact me.